The Hammers had their reasons, with Zarate failing to find a regular starting spot within the first team at Upton Park and reportedly expressing his unhappiness at not being played as a centre-forward.

And yet the Argentine could prove an astute loan signing for the R's. Statistics show just why...

Minutes Per Goal

Per Assist

Per Chances Created

Per Dribble

Per Final-Third Pass

Diafra Sakho

128.38

513.5

85.58

85.58

17.41

Mauro Zárate

207.5

415

59.29

37.73

8.83

Carlton Cole

215.5

0

107.75

143.67

23.94

Andy Carroll

249.67

749

83.22

749

10.4

Enner Valencia

295.67

443.5

98.56

38.57

15.29

Indeed, as Opta data proves, Zarate averaged less minutes per goal than any West Ham player aside from Diafra Sakho. The 27-year-old's tally of 207 minutes per goal could still be lower but, during his rare chances at Upton Park, Zarate certainly impressed.

The Argentine was also particularly effective in terms of the number of chances he created and dribbles he won.

In terms of QPR's current stars, the West Ham loanee is only less clinical than Charlie Austin, while he is better than any of the west London side's dribblers.

Zarate still has a lot to do to prove himself at QPR, of course, with a club's Premier League safety now depending at least partly on his goals. But the statistics show the 27-year-old, when given a chance, can deliver.

Tim Poole

Tim Poole is a sports journalist for HITC with a love of football, tennis and snooker in particular.His career to date has seen him speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes, interview snooker world champion Mark Selby and be snubbed by Premier League managers and players in more than one language!He is a massive Roger Federer fan and lives by the motto that 'sport is life.' When he's not writing about it, he's playing it, be it football, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, darts, snooker, golf or even water polo. He is better at some than others...